Reservoir system and method

ABSTRACT

A reservoir system for preserving the chemical stability and, therefore, the flavor of fluids is disclosed. The reservoir system can include a bag having a lining around a reservoir. The reservoir can have a reservoir port. The reservoir system can have a screw cap with a port for receiving a nozzle. The screw cap can be attached to the reservoir port. The nozzle can sealably attach to the cap. The nozzle can also sealably attach to a hose. The reservoir port and reservoir can be configured to maximize drainage of the reservoir, for example when the reservoir is turned reservoir port-side-down.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of fluid reservoirs for fluid transport and dispensing.

2. Description of the Related Art

Light weight, resealable bags are used increasingly in sporting activities, such as hiking, biking, and snow sport activities like skiing and snowboarding. Limited access to the interior of typical bags makes cleaning more difficult and increases the potential for unclean and unsanitary bags. Once liquids placed in the bags are consumed, the remaining deposits encourage the growth of bacteria and mold. The more deposits left behind, the more likely such growths will leave stains on the bag, the bag may retain odors, or taint any other fluids subsequently introduced into the bag, and create health risks. Regular and thorough cleaning of the inside of the reservoir is critical, as is the maximum drainage of the fluid contents.

Typical personal reservoir systems have large filling ports for filling and emptying the contents between uses. The filling ports are often spaced from the periphery of the reservoir, resulting in large amounts of the fluid contents being left in the reservoir when the reservoir is “turned over” to empty the remaining contents. Furthermore, the reservoir is often rectangular-shaped (when emptied) to make for easier and cheaper manufacturing. This rectangular shape also fails to direct the remaining fluid contents to the filling ports during emptying and cleaning of the typical reservoir system.

The fluid bags are often made from a single material, thus the reservoirs are often lined with the same material used to make the rest of the bag. Because manufacturers desire a material that performs well structurally and is easy to manufacture, these materials commonly leech into the fluid contents of the reservoir, resulting in an undesirable “plastic” taste of the fluid. This flavor is especially evident when the fluids are in the reservoir for an extended period of time or exposed to higher temperatures.

The reservoir systems are typically made with a filling port and a separate port for a straw or other tube. Having multiple ports in the reservoir systems increases manufacturing steps, and therefore manufacturing costs. Multiple ports also increase the complexity of the reservoir system, thereby reducing user enjoyment and expense of manufacture. Having multiple ports also increases likely failure points since each exiting port from the reservoir inherently has some connection that may be weaker than the surrounding material and/or increases stresses on the surrounding material.

Therefore a reservoir system that does not substantially alter the flavor of the contents of the reservoir system is desired. Furthermore, a reservoir system that can maximize the drainage of the fluid contents in the system and aid cleaning of the reservoir is desired. Additionally, a reservoir system that has a reduced number of ports is desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A refillable reservoir system for fluid transport and dispensing is disclosed. The reservoir system has a container defining a reservoir. The reservoir is in fluid communication with a reservoir opening.

The reservoir system has a closure member having a first material and a second material. The second material is softer than the first material. The closure member is configured to cover the reservoir opening. The closure member has a closure member port.

The reservoir system has a fluid channel configured to attach to the closure member port. The closure member is configured to sealably attach to the fluid channel. The closure member port is at least partially surrounded by the second material.

The second material can be resilient. The second material can have silicone. The reservoir system can have a reinforcement element around the reservoir opening.

The closure member can be attached to the reinforcement member. The fluid channel can have a first rib. The first rib can attach to the second material.

The fluid channel can have a second rib. The second rib can be configured differently than the first rib. The second rib can attach to the second material.

Another refillable reservoir system for fluid transport and dispensing is disclosed. The reservoir system has a container defining a reservoir. The container has a reservoir port in fluid communication with the reservoir. The reservoir system has an ultra-stable material. The reservoir is substantially surrounded by with the ultra-stable material.

The ultra-stable material can include polyethylene. The container substantially consists of polyethylene, other than an ultra-stable lining. The container can have Nylon.

The reservoir system can have a closure member removably attached to the reservoir port. The closure member can include or not include the ultra-stable material.

Yet another refillable reservoir system for fluid transport and dispensing is disclosed. The reservoir system has a container defining a reservoir in fluid communication with the reservoir port. The reservoir is configured to have a neck. The neck tapers to the reservoir port. The distance from the reservoir port to a nearest edge of the reservoir to the reservoir port is less than about 1 cm (0.4 in.).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the reservoir system.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment of the reservoir system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the top of the embodiment of the reservoir system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the top of an embodiment of the reservoir system.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the reservoir system.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cap.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the cap of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates cross-section A-A of the top of the reservoir system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 illustrates cross-section B-B of the cap of FIG. 6.

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b are close up views of various embodiments of the cap port and surrounding area of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cap attached to an embodiment of the nozzle.

FIG. 12 illustrates cross-section C-C of the cap and nozzle of FIG. 11.

FIGS. 13 a through 13 d are close-up views of various embodiments of the cross-section of the nozzle.

FIG. 14 is a front view of an embodiment of the bag.

FIG. 15 is a front view of an embodiment of the neck reinforcement of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a front view of an embodiment of the neck reinforcement.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are perspective views of various embodiments of the neck reinforcement.

FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a method for filling the reservoir system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate that a reservoir system can have a container, such as a bag and a sealing member, such as a removably attachable cap, for example at a drainage end of the reservoir system. The bag can have at least one hollow chamber, such as the reservoir. The reservoir can be lined with an ultra-stable material, such as a durable, resilient film. The ultra-stable material can be formed into an embossed and/or extruded laminate film (e.g., to line the reservoir). The bag can be made entirely or in part from the ultra-stable material. The bag can be spray-coated, dip-coated, static-charge coated, or otherwise coated along the surface of the reservoir with the ultra-stable material. The ultra-stable material can be a material that will minimally leech into fluids during normal operating conditions (e.g., temperatures below about 180° F.). The ultra-stable material can be polyethylene, antimicrobial materials, such as silver ion (e.g., AgION from AgION Technologies, Inc., Wakefield, Mass.), ultra-stable zinc-based antimicrobial products (e.g., Microban® by Microban International, Ltd., New York, N.Y.) or combinations thereof.

Other than the ultra-stable material, the bag can be made from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), Nylon, modified low density polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyurethane (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), also known as acetal resin, polytrioxane and polyformaldehyde (e.g., Delrin by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Del.), Nylon, or combinations thereof.

The reservoir can be configured to be filled and/or emptied (i.e., drained) of fluid contents at the drainage end.

The bag can have a bag seal or bag reinforcement. The bag can be made from two sheets or layers of material. The two sheets of the material can join together at the bag seal. The bag seal can be around the perimeter of the reservoir. The bag seal can be additionally reinforced with additional material, adhesive, temperature (e.g., weld) or chemical treatment, or combinations thereof.

The reservoir system can have a neck reinforcement. The neck reinforcement can be integral with, or separate and attached to, the bag. The neck reinforcement can be made from a thicker material and/or more layers of material than the remainder of the bag. The neck reinforcement can be made from a different material or a differently treated material to provide additional structural strength than the bag.

The cap can be screwed, friction fit, interference fit (e.g., with a mechanical latch), snap-fit, otherwise attached, or combinations thereof, to the bag or the neck reinforcement. The reservoir system can have a fluid channel (e.g., having a lumen) attached to the cap. The fluid channel can be one or more flexible or rigid tubes (e.g., a straw), a nozzle, or combinations thereof. The nozzle can be attached at a nozzle first end to the cap and at a nozzle second end to a tube (not shown). The nozzle can be fixedly or removably inserted into the cap.

The reservoir can be shaped to have a corner, gulley, valley, gutter, depression, neck or other shaped exit (referred to herein as the neck for clarity of explanation) formed by the bag seal at the drainage end. The neck can be configured to maximize drainage (i.e., ejection fraction) of the contents of the reservoir, for example, when the cap is removed from the bag and the bag is oriented with the drainage end pointed down.

The reservoir system can have a handle. The handle can be removably interference fit between the cap and the bag (e.g., the neck reinforcement).

One or more markings (e.g., branding, instructions) can be applied to any or all of the elements, as shown for illustrative purposes on the handle and cap. The markings can be printed, embossed, cut, etched, recessed or raised in a mold, stamped, otherwise applied, or combinations thereof.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate that the handle can have an anchoring section configured to fit between the cap and the bag (e.g., neck reinforcement). The anchoring section can be substantially flat. The handle can have a grasping section. The grasping section can be ergonomically contoured (e.g., curved for easier grasping by hand). The grasping section can have a vane, for example to structurally reinforce the grasping section and/or to simplify manufacturing.

The nozzle can be inserted into the radial center of the cap. The reservoir system can have no nozzle. The cap can have no port.

FIG. 5 illustrates that the reservoir system can have no handle. The bag and/or neck reinforcement can have an end hole. The end hole can be at the center of the drainage end. A post or other elongated or curved member can be passed through the end hole to removably attach the reservoir system, for example, to a sales display, a carrying pouch (e.g., a backpack or knapsack), a machine for manufacturing, or combinations thereof.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate that the cap can have a cap base and a port liner. The cap base can be attached to and/or integral with the port liner. The port liner can be overmolded on the cap base. The overmolding can cause the port liner to be separate but fixedly attached to the cap base (i.e., being molded through and around the molding ports).

The cap base can be made from a cap base material. The port liner can be made from a port liner material. The port liner material can have a port liner hardness. The can base material can have a cap base hardness. The cap base hardness can be greater than the port liner hardness by from about 1% to about 400%, more narrowly from about 2% to about 300%, for example about 10%. The cap base hardness can be, for example, about 70 Shore D. The port liner hardness can be, for example, about 75 Shore A. The cap base material can be polypropylene, polyethylene, metal (e.g., aluminum, steel). The port liner material can be a low-friction material, for example a thermoplastic elastomer (e.g., Dynaflex® and Kraton® by GLS Corp, McHenry, Ill.), silicone, PVC, polyurethane (e.g., TPU), or combinations thereof. The cap base material and/or the port liner material can be resilient. The cap base material and/or the port liner material can be deformable.

The cap base can have base port teeth. The base port teeth can extend toward the cap port. The port liner can be configured to mimic the configuration of the base port teeth (e.g., by being molded around the base port teeth). The cap base can have, for example, about eight base port teeth. The base port teeth can be evenly angularly distributed around the cap port.

The cap base can have molding ports. The port liner can completely or partially pass through the molding ports. The port liner can be attached to the cap base at the molding ports. The cap base can have, for example, about eight molding ports. The molding ports can be evenly angularly distributed around the cap port.

The cap base can have cap divots, for example, on the radial outside of the cap base. The cap divots can be higher-friction texturing than the remainder of the cap base. The cap base can have, for example, about 20 cap divots. The cap divots can be evenly angularly distributed around the cap port.

The port liner can have liner arms that extend to the radial outside of the cap base. The cap base can have, for example, about four liner arms. The liner arms can be evenly angularly distributed around the cap port.

FIG. 8 illustrates that the cap can be attached to the neck reinforcement and/or the bag. The neck reinforcement and/or bag can have a neck base. The neck reinforcement and/or bag can have a neck interface. The neck interface can extend at about a 90° angle from the neck base. The neck interface can be elevated or recessed from the remainder of the neck reinforcement and/or bag (e.g., the neck interface can protrude into the reservoir). The neck interface can be configured to sealably and removably attach to the cap.

The neck interface can have one or more interface threads. The cap can have one or more cap threads that can align with the interface threads. When the cap is in a sealably attached configuration with the neck interface, the cap threads can sealably attach to the interface threads. The cap can have a cap seal. The interface can have an interface seal. The interface seal and/or the cap seal can be integral with and/or attached to, and made from the same or different materials from the rest of, the neck interface and/or cap, respectively. When the cap is in a sealably attached configuration with the neck interface, the cap seal can create a fluid-tight seal with the interface seal.

The cap base can have a port support. The port support can be a section of the cap base that surrounds the cap port. The port support can be covered by the port liner. The thickness of the port liner between the cap port and the port support can be a liner thickness. The liner thickness can be about 1.5 mm (0.059 in.).

The port liner can have port ribs configured adjacent to the cap port. The port ribs can, for example, improve the seal and attachment to the nozzle or other conduit (e.g., tube, straw, mouthpiece).

FIG. 9 illustrates that the cap can have a cap side and a cap top. The cap side can extend from the cap top at about a 90° angle. The cap side can have the cap divots and the cap thread. The cap top can have the molding ports, the cap seal, the port support, and define the cap port.

The cap port can have a cap port inner diameter. The cap port inner diameter can be about 10 mm (0.39 in.).

FIG. 10 a illustrates that the cap port ribs can radially extend toward the cap port. The cap port inner diameter, for example, can be the distance between the farthest extensions of the cap port ribs. The cap port can have a cap port outer diameter. The cap port outer diameter can be the distance measured from the radially recessed points between the cap port ribs. The cap port outer diameter can be about 10.5 mm (0.413 in.).

FIG. 10 b illustrates that the cap port can have no ribs. The cap port can have substantially flat walls. The cap port can have a cap port diameter. The cap port diameter can be from about 10 mm (0.39 in.) to about 10.5 mm (0.413 in.).

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate that the nozzle can be translatably inserted into the cap port, as shown by arrow. The nozzle can be sealably attached to the cap. The nozzle can be removably or substantially fixedly attached to the cap. The nozzle can be press fit into the cap port. The nozzle can be rotatable in the cap port. The nozzle can be configured to attach to a tube, straw, mouthpiece, or combinations thereof. The nozzle can have a nozzle first lip, a nozzle second lip, a nozzle third lip, and combinations thereof. The nozzle lips can, for example, structurally reinforce the nozzle and/or attach to a tube, straw, mouthpiece, or combinations thereof.

The nozzle can have a nozzle stop. The nozzle stop can be a radially extended section of the nozzle. The nozzle stop can, for example, prevent the nozzle from inserting too far into the cap port.

The nozzle can have one or more nozzle fins, such as a nozzle first fin and a nozzle second fin. The nozzle fins can have a thin angular dimension, radially extend from the remainder of the nozzle, and extend longitudinally. The nozzle fins can extend between adjacent nozzle lips. The nozzle fins can, for example, for example, provide structurally reinforce the nozzle and/or attach to a tube, straw, mouthpiece, or combinations thereof.

The nozzle can have one or more nozzle ribs. The nozzle ribs can have a nozzle rib outer diameter. The nozzle rib outer diameter can be greater than the cap port outer diameter by from about 0.1 mm (0.004 in.) to about 1 mm (0.04 in.), for example about 0.2 mm (0.008 in.).

FIG. 13 a illustrates that the nozzle can have one or more first nozzle ribs and one or more second nozzle ribs. The first nozzle ribs can have a different configuration from the second nozzle ribs. The nozzle can have a first nozzle rib outer diameter, a second nozzle rib outer diameter and a nozzle rib inner diameter. The first nozzle rib outer diameter can be, for example, about 10.9 mm (0.429 in.). The second nozzle rib outer diameter can be, for example, about 11.15 mm (0.4389 in.). The nozzle rib inner diameter can be, for example, about 10.0 mm (0.394 in.).

FIG. 13 b illustrates that the nozzle can have nozzle ribs with a uniform configuration (e.g., the second nozzle rib only, with no first nozzle ribs). The nozzle ribs can have a nozzle rib outer diameter, for example, about 11.15 mm (0.4389 in.).

FIG. 13 c illustrates that the nozzle can have no ribs. The nozzle can have substantially flat nozzle walls. The nozzle outer diameter can be from about 10.0 mm (0.394 in.) to about 11.15 mm (0.4389 in.).

FIG. 13 d illustrates that the nozzle can be configured to completely obstruct the flow of fluid. The nozzle can have a plug body and a plug handle. The plug body can have a plug diameter. The plug diameter can be from about 10.0 mm (0.394 in.) to about 11.15 mm (0.4389 in.). The plug body can be solid.

FIG. 14 illustrates that the reservoir can have a reservoir port. The cap can sealably close the reservoir port. The reservoir can have a reservoir port gap between the reservoir port and the end of the reservoir. The reservoir port gap can be less than 1 cm (0.4 in.), for example about 0 mm (0 in.).

The neck reinforcement can have an attachment area. The attachment area can be the location where the neck reinforcement attaches to and/or integrates with the bag. The attachment area can have additional material, adhesive, temperature (e.g., weld) or chemical treatment, or combinations thereof. The attachment area can also be additionally reinforced relative to the remainder of the neck reinforcement, as described above.

FIG. 15 illustrates that the attachment area can have an attachment area first lobe at a first end of the attachment area. The attachment area can have an attachment area second lobe at a second end of the attachment area. The attachment area lobes can be taller (i.e., the up/down dimension on the page of the figure) than the remainder of the attachment area. The attachment area can be substantially the same width as the neck reinforcement.

The bag can have a bag first side and a second side. The bag first side can be attached to the bag second side at the bag seal, for example. The attachment area can be attached to the bag first side and/or the bag second side. For example, the bag first side can attach to the entire neck reinforcement and the bag second side can attach to the attachment area.

The neck reinforcement can have a crown. The crown can extend toward the end hole. The crown can be configured, for example, structurally support for the end hole (e.g., when the end hole supports the entire weight of the reservoir system). The attachment extension can circumvent the crown.

FIG. 16 illustrates that the attachment area can have a configuration to maximize attachment forces between the bag and neck reinforcement and minimize attachment area. The attachment area can have a reservoir port attachment. The reservoir port attachment can substantially encircle the reservoir port. The attachment area can have an attachment extension. The attachment extension can extend substantially along the periphery of the neck reinforcement.

FIG. 17 illustrates that the neck interface can be elevated from the neck base. The attachment area can be configured to include attachment markings. The attachment markings can be formed as described, supra. The markings can be text, designs, logos, other images, or combinations thereof.

The neck reinforcement can have one or more neck tapers at one or locations around the periphery of the neck reinforcement. The neck tapers can be configured to attach to the bag seals.

FIG. 18 illustrates that the neck interface can be recessed from the neck base. The neck interface can protrude into the reservoir. The markings can be not part of the attachment area, but completely surrounded by the attachment area.

FIG. 19 illustrates that prior to filling the bag with a fluid, the cap can be removed from the neck interface. The fluid can be poured (shown by arrow) through the reservoir port. The reservoir system can be held by the crown when filling the reservoir with a fluid. A torque, shown by arrow, can be applied to the crown to rotate the neck reinforcement closer to the horizontal. The bag second side can be attached to the neck reinforcement above the neck interface. The bag first side and bag second side can move away from the second side when the neck reinforcement is rotated closer to the horizontal, as shown. The fluid flow path can be unobstructed by the bag second side during filling.

After the reservoir is filled, the cap can be attached to the reservoir port. The nozzle can be placed in the cap port. The nozzle can be removed and replaced with any desired nozzle. The nozzle can be a quick-release nozzle. The nozzle can attach to a series of nozzles. The nozzle can attach to a hose or tube. The nozzle can have a splitter and/or valve, controlling the flow and/or diverting the flow to two or more paths (e.g., to two hoses or tubes). The contents of the reservoir can be dispensed through the cap port.

Any elements, configurations, characteristics, and methods of use can be utilized from U.S. patent application having attorney docket number HYDRNZ00100 and filed concurrently which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Any elements described herein as singular can be pluralized (i.e., anything described as “one” can be more than one). Any species element of a genus element can have the characteristics or elements of any other species element of that genus. The above-described configurations, elements or complete assemblies and methods and their elements for carrying out the invention, and variations of aspects of the invention can be combined and modified with each other in any combination. 

1. A refillable reservoir system for fluid transport and dispensing comprising: a container defining a reservoir in fluid communication with a reservoir opening; a closure member comprising a first material and a second material, wherein the second material is softer than the first material, the closure member configured to cover the reservoir opening, wherein the closure member has a closure member port; and a fluid channel configured to attach to the closure member port; wherein the closure member is configured to sealably attach to the fluid channel, and wherein the closure member port is at least partially surrounded by the second material.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second material is resilient.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second material comprises silicone.
 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a reinforcement element around the reservoir opening.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the closure member is attached to the reinforcement member.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid channel comprises a first rib, and wherein the first rib attaches to the second material.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the fluid channel comprises a second rib, wherein the second rib is configured differently than the first rib, and wherein the second rib attaches to the second material.
 8. A refillable reservoir system for fluid transport and dispensing comprising: a container defining a reservoir, the container having a reservoir port in fluid communication with the reservoir; and an ultra-stable material, wherein the reservoir is substantially surrounded by with the ultra-stable material.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the ultra-stable material comprises polyethylene
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the container substantially consists of polyethylene.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the container comprises nylon.
 12. The system of claim 8, further comprising a closure member removably attached to the reservoir port.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the closure member does not comprise the ultra-stable material.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the closure member comprises the ultra-stable material.
 15. A refillable reservoir system for fluid transport and dispensing comprising: a container defining a reservoir in fluid communication with a reservoir opening; a closure member comprising a press-fit port; and a fluid channel configured to releasably attach to the press-fit port.
 16. A refillable reservoir system for fluid transport and dispensing comprising: a container defining a reservoir, the container having a reservoir port in fluid communication with the reservoir, wherein the reservoir is configured to have a neck, wherein the neck tapers to the reservoir port; wherein the distance from the reservoir port to a nearest edge of the reservoir to the reservoir port is less than about 1 cm. 